This is the second time I have used this brilliant service and it was flawless again. I booked the collection for 8am the driver was there for 7:55am I asked for the car back before 4pm it was as back for 2pm. This service is perfect for busy people like myself. Well worth the 5 star rating I have g...

Nikos from Manchester

I was very skeptical initially with the service I was going to be provided by Fixter. Nevertheless it is very convenient that they come and get your car from any place and date. So I booked for a major service on the date and place I wanted. On that day, a guy came with his folded bike (10mins late)...

Jason from Altrincham

I thought it made the mot and service ball ache a lot better, I got to stay at home and the friendly chap came and took my car off for work. You get kept informed all the way through the process. I will be using fixter next time

Calnette from Manchester

I booked in for a major service and MOT. They were very efficient. They picked up my car, serviced it well and returned it well in time. Thank you guys so much

Angela from Salford

Excellent! Recommend to everyone.. great prices and great job done! Thank you!

Front brake pad replacement

How do front brake pads work?

Brake pads are a key component of any vehicle’s braking system. They’re flat parts made of semi-metallic, organic or ceramic materials, with a metal backing. When you use your brakes, the pads hydraulically squeeze the brake discs, slowing your car down through friction and pressure. The pads absorb some of the biggest forces involved in daily driving.

Most cars have two pads per brake disc, although some high-performance models can have more.

How often should front brake pads need replacing?

As a rough guide, your brake pads should last for 50,000 miles, but there are a number of variables, including driver behaviour, the weight you carry, speed and the type of pads used. Not to mention that nearly 20% of MOT failures are caused by faulty brakes.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

Incorrect brake operation, damaged or excessively worn discs or pads are considered unsafe for your vehicle performance and will cause your car to fail an MOT.

The cost of replacing front brake pads

The typical cost of replacing front brake pads is around £100.

For example, a BMW 116d M Sport would have a dealer price of £133.13, yet Fixter will carry out the same work for only £107.10—a 20% saving!

Changing the rear brake pads on a Fiat 500 C Lounge will cost you £120.59 with your dealer, but only £99.17 with Fixter—a superb saving of 18%!

When you choose Fixter to find you a great deal and a premium mechanic to carry out your rear brake pad replacement, you can expect to save around £20–£25 from an average dealer price. That’s a typical saving in the region of 15–20%.

What happens when we replace your brake pads?

Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will inspect the brake system for signs of wear, damage and breakage.

They will establish which brake pads need to be replaced and fit new ones as necessary.

You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.

Once the brake pads have been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure the correct operation of the new parts and make any adjustments required for premium performance.

What causes your brake pads to stop working correctly?

While your brake pads will keep you safe over thousands of miles, they won’t last forever. Eventually, the abrasive surface on them wears down, and they will need to be replaced, ideally while you still have around 25% capacity of the pads left.

Given that they take most of the load, front brake pads will probably need replacing first. They also have a bigger surface area to increase friction.

To make your brake pads last longer:

Try avoiding driving at high speeds so that you’re less likely to need to brake quickly and heavily, which puts extra pressure on the pads.

Anticipate traffic and hazards ahead so you can brake steadily and gradually.